CMC – CHIEF selector, the Most Honourable Desmond Haynes, has expressed concern over the lack of intent being shown by West Indies Test batsmen, and believes the fear of being dropped could be contributing to their cautious approach.

Speaking during the second day of the second Test here Saturday, the legendary former West Indies opener said run-scoring remained critical in the longest format, and urged batsmen not only to occupy the crease but to keep runs flowing in order to put the opposition under pressure.

Pointing to the West Indies first innings when the home side lost three wickets for one run in the space of 12 balls, 20 minutes before lunch, Haynes said batsmen had been guilty of being too tentative.

“We had a good start with Kraigg (Brathwaite) and John (Campbell) but I just figure that sometimes when you’re playing on surfaces like this, I think you need to be a little bit more positive,” Haynes said during the lunch interval at the Daren Sammy National Stadium.

“And I think what was happening is that we got ourselves in a little rut where everybody was just hoping to get in and look for partnerships and so forth.

“That is good but I still think you’ve got to be very positive in your approach and the intent should be [to look for runs].

“I believe that runs are all that matters in the game – you’ve got to look for runs. Batting long might be good but I still think you’ve got to look for runs.”

Despite winning the first Test in Anigua last week, West Indies were criticised by some media pundits for their slow batting, requiring nearly 113 overs for their 265 in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings of 103.

And in the first innings of the ongoing Test, the Caribbean side also made occupation of the crease their focal point, before Kyle Mayers struck a high quality 146 to up the tempo and fire the innings up to 408 all out.

Haynes, who took over the top selector role last February, said confidence was key to run-scoring and was an area which batsmen needed to address.

“It will come in time but I think they need the confidence. I see guys are still batting and worrying about if they get out, worrying about if they get left out of the team or whatever,” he explained.

“As selectors we’ve played the game, we know when you’ve tried, when you’ve put in a big effort and so forth. I want us to be a confident team. I want us to be able to play shots and just don’t worry about getting out because in cricket you’re going to get out.

“ I just want them to be a little more positive in their approach. Even running between the wickets, I don’t see our players with the intent of saying ‘let’s put the fast bowler at third man under pressure.’”

Reflecting on the series against England last March, Haynes said the result had been important for the home side.

“To beat England is always a very good victory. England, as you see, are very professional. The players are very professional,” Haynes said.

“They’re now doing very good against New Zealand so to beat England is always a good victory.

“That victory I believe was a good one for us but I hope that the players would have gained some confidence from that.”